Sex is the secret to looking younger, claims researcher

Regular sex could now be the key to looking up to seven years younger, a
researcher claims.

Just 15 per cent of women would get themselves into this position after a first datePhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Claire Carter

7:30AM BST 05 Jul 2013

Dr David Weeks, former head of old age psychology at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, said people need to be aware of the benefits of having a healthy sex life, particularly in their later years.

He said sex has a number of health benefits which can make men and women look between five and seven years younger which includes; it causes the release of endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemical which acts as a natural painkiller and reduces anxiety aiding sleep; exercise boosts circulation which is good for the heart; and it also causes the human growth hormone to be released which makes the skin look more elastic.

Dr Weeks said: “My message is that lovemaking is good.

“The stereotype of an elderly person is that when they get their pension and bus pass, they stop having sex and that’s not true.

“Sexual satisfaction is a major contributor to quality of life, ranking at least as high as spiritual or religious commitment and other morale factors, so more positive attitudes towards mature sex should be vigorously promoted.

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“Sexuality is definitely not the prerogative of younger people and nor should it be.”

The 59-year-old will tell a British Psychological Society conference today about his research, where he asked men and women questions about their sex lives. He found those who looked younger than their age claimed to have sex an average 50 per cent more – in the 40-to-50 age group equating to three times a week rather than twice.

Dr Weeks’ findings of the benefits of a healthy sex life follow previous evidence that suggests regular lovemaking is associated with reducing the risk of early death.